Is Graves’ Disease Considered A Disability?

Individuals diagnosed with Graves’ disease may have difficulty working due to their disease and the resulting limitations. Patients may find themselves wondering, “Is Graves’ disease considered a disability?” The answer is yes. When severe enough, Graves’ disease is considered a disability.

Those who cannot work due to Graves’ disease may qualify for long-term disability (LTD) benefits and Social Security Disability benefits. Each type of claim has different rules and requirements, so it is possible that you could be eligible for one but not the other. This post discusses Graves’ disease and the symptoms and complications that could qualify you for disability benefits.

What Is Graves’ Disease?

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder. It causes the immune system to attack the thyroid gland, causing overactivity of the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Graves’ disease is one of the most common causes of hyperthyroidism.

Causes, Incidences, and Risk Factors

Researchers don’t know exactly why some people get autoimmune diseases like Graves’ disease. It’s believed that these conditions result from a mix of genes and an outside trigger, such as a virus.

In Graves’ disease, your immune system produces an antibody called thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) that binds to your thyroid cells. TSI works similarly to thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), a hormone created in your pituitary gland that directs your thyroid on how much hormone to produce. TSI prompts your thyroid to overproduce thyroid hormone.

The thyroid gland is an important organ of the endocrine system. It is located in the front of the neck, just below the voice box. This gland releases the hormones that control body metabolism. Controlling metabolism is critical for regulating mood, weight, and energy levels. Thyroid hormones also affect your nervous system function, brain development, and body temperature.

You are at a higher risk of developing Graves’ disease if:

• You have a family history of Graves’ disease or Hashimoto’s disease,
• You have other autoimmune disorders like vitiligo, autoimmune gastritis, type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis, or
• You use nicotine products.

Symptoms

Many of the symptoms of Graves’ disease are separate conditions with limitations that compound your inability to work. Your symptoms should be documented in your medical information to be considered during your disability evaluation. Symptoms of Graves’ disease include:

Eye problems related to Graves’ disease often get better with treatment for thyroid activity, whether through medications, radiation, or surgery. However, iodine treatments could sometimes worsen eye problems. Smoking tends to exacerbate eye issues, even post-treatment for hyperthyroidism.

In some cases, prednisone, a steroid that suppresses the immune system, can help reduce eye irritation and swelling. You might need to tape your eyes shut at night to prevent dryness. Wearing sunglasses and using eye drops could also help alleviate eye irritation. In rare instances, surgery or radiation therapy might be necessary to restore the eyes to their normal position.

Signs and Evidentiary Tests

First, your doctor will conduct a physical examination. Examination by a doctor may provide evidence of an increased heart rate or that the thyroid gland is enlarged (goiter). Other tests used to determine if a patient has Graves’ disease include:

• Blood tests can measure your thyroid hormone levels and check for TSI.
• A thyroid scan, often done alongside the radioactive iodine uptake test, reveals how and where iodine is spread in your thyroid. In Graves’ disease, iodine appears all over the gland. For other causes of hyperthyroidism, like nodules (small lumps in the gland), iodine differs in appearance.
• Radioactive iodine uptake tests gauge how much iodine your thyroid absorbs from your bloodstream to produce hormones. If your thyroid absorbs high iodine levels, you might have Graves’ disease.
• The Doppler blood flow measurement, also known as Doppler ultrasound, uses sound waves to spot increased blood flow in your thyroid caused by Graves’ disease. Your doctor might recommend this test instead of radioactive iodine uptake, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Submit the results of any such test results in support of your disability claim.

Treatment

Treatment for Graves’ disease usually focuses on controlling the overactivity of the thyroid gland. Beta-blockers such as propranolol are often used to treat symptoms of rapid heartbeat, sweating, and anxiety until the hyperthyroidism is controlled with one or more of the following:

• Antithyroid medications;
• Radioactive iodine therapy; and
• Thyroid surgery

These medications can help with symptoms temporarily, but they don’t offer a permanent cure for Graves’ disease. It could take weeks or months for your thyroid hormone levels to return to normal. On average, treatment typically lasts around 1–2 years, but in some cases, it can continue for many years.

Antithyroid medications can also have serious side effects:

• Allergic reactions, like rashes and itching,
• A drop in white blood cell count makes you more prone to infections and
• In rare cases, liver failure can occur with antithyroid medicines.

Complications

Complications of Graves’ disease may include thyroid crisis (thyrotoxic storm), which is a severe worsening of overactive thyroid gland symptoms, and an increased risk of brittle bones (osteoporosis).

If you have radiation and surgery, you will need to take replacement thyroid hormones for the rest of your life because these treatments destroy or remove the gland. Without getting the correct dose of thyroid hormone replacement, hypothyroidism can lead to:

• Depression;
• Sluggishness; and
• Weight gain.

Other complications from surgery could include additional medical conditions and new symptoms:

• Hoarseness from damage to the nerve leading to the voice box;
• Low calcium levels from damage to the parathyroid glands (located near the thyroid gland);
• Scarring of the neck; and
• Eye problems (called Graves’ ophthalmopathy or exophthalmos).

If Graves’ disease isn’t treated, it can cause heart rhythm problems and changes in how the heart muscles work, and the heart may struggle to pump enough blood throughout the body. Heart-related complications, including:

• Rapid heart rate;
• Congestive heart failure (especially in the elderly); and
• Atrial fibrillation.

Complications related to thyroid hormone replacement, for example:

• If too little hormone is given, fatigue, weight gain, high cholesterol, depression, physical sluggishness, and other symptoms of hypothyroidism can occur; and
• If too much hormone is given, symptoms of hyperthyroidism will return.

Is Graves’ Disease Considered a Disability?

Social Security Disability for Graves’ Disease

The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not have a specific listing for Graves’ disease, but it is possible to receive benefits for this disease if the SSA determines that your symptoms and limitations prevent you from performing Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) for 12 months or longer. Your symptoms and limitations must be clearly stated in the medical evidence to qualify for benefits.

If your complications include mental health or cardiac problems, these medical conditions will be evaluated under the mental disorders listing and cardiovascular listing, respectively:

• Listing 4.00, Cardiovascular System
• Listing 12.00, Mood Disorders

A residual functional capacity (RFC) evaluation can help to document the effects of thyroid gland disorders and any other medical conditions you suffer from. Ask your doctor(s) to complete an RFC form and submit the completed form to the SSA. We offer physical and mental RFC forms on our website that you can download for free.

Long-Term Disability for Graves’ Disease

Long-term disability claims are evaluated using the definition of disability that is defined in the disability insurance policy. The definition of disability varies between policies. In some cases, the definition of disability changes after a certain period of time (usually 24 months). You need to determine what the definition of disability is in your policy so that you know what medical information is needed to support your claim that Graves’ disease and your symptoms and limitations prevent you from working.

The residual functional capacity (RFC) form can also be used as evidence in an LTD claim. The insurance company will still review your medical records and non-medical information while trying to decide on your ability to work, but a thoroughly completed RFC form can make a significant impact on the outcome of your case. Unlike most medical records, an RFC form will clearly state the severity of your impairments.

Working with a Disability Attorney

Working with a disability attorney can improve the chances that you will receive the benefits you deserve from the SSA or the LTD insurance company for your Graves’ disease. A claim denial isn’t the end; many applicants face this hurdle on their first attempt. Remember, you have the right to appeal and provide additional medical evidence to support your claim. Often, professional expertise is the key to unlocking approval for disability benefits.

Navigating the intricacies of the process might seem intimidating, but having an experienced disability attorney to guide you through the process will help. Most importantly, most disability insurance attorneys only get paid if they are successful in helping you recover your benefits. You can seek help for your claim without worrying about upfront costs or unexpected bills.

The Ortiz Law Firm has successfully represented people in disability claims nationwide. If you are ready to take the next step and get help with your claim, call us at (888) 321-8131. We will evaluate your case and discuss how we can help you through the appeal process.